Pavlich: Nadler's intimidation tactics backfire

As the release date of the Mueller report moves further away from the forefront of America’s memory, Democrats on Capitol Hill are desperate to keep their false narrative of Russian collusion and obstruction of justice alive.

Given her lack of criminality and refusal to falsely implicate her former boss in crimes he didn’t commit, Nadler was desperate for a tactic to justify her presence on Capitol Hill. He said at the beginning of the hearing it is the duty of his committee to conduct oversight of the executive branch and then things quickly got personal.

Out of options and without a blessing of impeachment from Pelosi, there’s no doubt Nadler did this on purpose. He feigned distraction, but considering he’s the one who issued the subpoena for Hicks to testify, there’s no chance he didn’t know her name. Especially since she was the only witness.

Adding insult to injury, Nadler was happy to allow his members to act in an unprofessional manner and said nothing as they took photos of Hicks on their personal phones while she testified

“Mr. Chairman, I think there are a number of people taking pictures here, and I just want to say that I think it’s making the witness uncomfortable. And I would very much appreciate it as a courtesy, if nothing else, if we could,” Hicks’s attorney Bob Trout said, according to the transcript.

“That’s fine. If people will please refrain from taking pictures,” Nadler requested only after being prompted.

This was Nadler’s way of attempting to intimidate the witness, knowing the transcript would be released to his Democratic allies in the media and the public.

But his attempt fell flat, prompting regular critics of the Trump administration to come to Hicks’s defense and to turn a critical eye to the purpose of Nadler’s “investigative” efforts.

“A, why are Congress people taking pictures of a witness if you’re having a serious, prepared, thorough investigation, what is that all about?” CNN’s John King asked. “And then B, for the conversation, Chairman Nadler himself who called off the picture taking there repeatedly referred to her as Ms. Lewandowski. Corey Lewandowski was the campaign manager. On several occasions he called her … Ms. Lewandowski. Her name is Hope Hicks. He fought to get her testimony. He knows her name is Hope Hicks. At one point she said, ‘My name is Hope Hicks, Mr. Chairman.’ If you’re going to make the case to the American people that you are conducting serious, credible investigations and you’re prepared, why be amateur and offensive?”

If Nadler’s true goal is to impeach President Trump, which his actions and statements indicate, he’s going to need more than sexist insults to get him there.

Meanwhile, it’s time to allow Hope Hicks to proudly move on with her life.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity I had to serve, and, yes, I would do it all over again,” Hicks said. “I would do anything to make a positive contribution for our country, and I’m very grateful I had that opportunity. I’m proud of my service, and I thank all of you for your service as well.”